Happy Father’s Day!

marauders4evr:

Please take the rest of this day and your lives to think about this throwaway line from Bitter Work wherein Iroh freaks out and says that he’s not going to shoot lightning at Zuko. Please think about this. Please think about the fact that Iroh adamantly did not want to shooot a weapon at Zuko. Please think about the fact that Iroh did not want to hurt Zuko. Please think about the fact that Iroh would never want to hurt Zuko. Please think about the fact that Iroh would never hurt Zuko.

Please think about the fact that Iroh would never hurt Zuko!

(11+ years later and I’m still discovering things about this show!)

maskedbender:

“So this is how the great commander Zhao acts in defeat… disgraceful.

Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea – it was delicious.“ 

“Did you really mean that, Uncle?”

“Of course. I told you, ginseng tea is my favorite.”

avatarsymbolism:

Sequel to this post.

Zuko being conditioned and then unconditioned to view mercy/forgiveness as stupid, and childish (See captions for explanation).

1. Zuko is conditioned through Ozai to think that mercy and forgiveness are stupid, childish concepts.
2. This belief gets reinforced by Zhao.
3. When Zhao refuses to take Zuko’s hand, this could have further reinforced his belief that even trying to show mercy is futile, and most of all stupid.
4. Zuko implies that he thinks mercy and forgiveness are stupid, and childish.
5. Katara breaks Zuko’s accustomed script by not killing Yon Rha.
6. Zuko, however, still thinks mercy and forgiveness are pretty pointless.
7. Iroh breaks Zuko’s accustomed script by showing him unconditional love, and forgiveness.
8. Aang breaks Zuko’s accustomed script by not killing Ozai.
9. Thus, Zuko learns that 
1. forgiveness and moving on aren’t mutually inclusive terms.
2. Revenge is never the answer. 
3. One can move on without forgiveness or revenge
4. Mercy is neither stupid nor childish.
10. It’s because of these lessons that Zuko gives Ozai this speech. Zuko brings up the possibility of Ozai righting his wrongs, but he makes no mention of forgiveness, or even of having Ozai killed because of the lessons he learned throuughout Book 3 through Aang, Katara, and Iroh. 

Zuko and Azula have the most fascinating relationship in ATLA

operaheaux: king-mygas: how-do-you-do-the-do: Sibling rivalry is often a trite story of one sibling hating the other out of jealousy. On the surface, the Zuko and Azula may look that way. They have no problem blasting fire and lightning at each other and both of their parents had a favorite. But there’s so much more to it. …

marauders4evr: Since it’s Father’s Day, here are my top favorite Zuko and Iroh moments: “Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you.” “Did you really mean that uncle?” “Of course, I told you Ginseng tea was my favorite.” This shot in which words cannot do justice: x Zuko choosing to go after his uncle…

avatarsymbolism:

From glaring at each other in the previous finales to looking at each other with fondness and understanding. 

insanityisthecure:

Finer things by rufftoon

Best. Fancomic. Ever.